Today I had the opportunity to use ICT technology with the children in the centre. This was child initiated when I was working with a group of children during an activity on the floor. I was taking photos of the blocks they were using to construct a tower. As I was taking photos a girl asked if she could see the photo I had previously taken. On the digital camera I played the photo back and she had a look at the other photos. To extend on her interest I then suggested she can be the photographer and that she can take some photos. She happily took photos of some of her friends... as she was taking the photos each time she would say to them, ‘say cheese’! Not long after, a small group of children also want to take photos of their environment and the people in it. The children particularly liked pulling silly faces for the camera for each other and enjoyed playing back the image to review the photo they had just taken om the camera, or the photo that was taken of them.
To further extend on this with the use of ICT I said to the children ‘if we like we can download the photos onto the computer to see the images larger and play a slide show. The children were eager to use the computer and already knew where the computer cord was to plug into the camera. We loaded the photos and the children enjoyed looking at the images they had taken. I believe this allows children to use ICT as an appropriate way for themselves to self assess the learning of their own and others while using technology in a variety of ways.Through using ICT with children Te Whāriki (1996) recognises children should have the opportunity to use creative and expressive media and the technology which can be used and associated with them. Another important aspect of using technology with children is that a variety of technologies should be used with children for a range of different purposes as they explore the environment around them and how technology can help them and others.
Morrison (2009) suggests that as educators we need to educate ourselves on the potential benefits that computers and technology have for children. He also suggests that there a number of possibilities and learning outcomes for children when they have the opportunity to use ICT. Technology is a growing part of the world for young children. Computers and other devices such as digital cameras have a significant amount of learning opportunities for children in all domains such as cognitive, social, emotional, and linguistic.
Talay- Ongan and Ap (2005) discuss the concept that children’s opportunities to use ICT enables them to access a world of animation and imagination, images, stories in enriched and engaging ways. The experiences children have with these forms of ICT devices can help children develop valuable technological skills.
Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whariki: He Whariki mautauranga mo nga mokopuna O Aotearoa. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Morrison, G. (2009). Early childhood education today. 11th (ed). New Jersey: Pearson Printing.
Taylay-Ongan, A., A.Ap, E. (2005). Child development and teaching young children. Australia: Thompson/Social science press.
Kia Ora Nik! Sorry for the above muck up....but I got there in the end!
ReplyDeleteThank you for an insightful blog describing your practice with children and ICT. It was great to read that you acknowledged the children’s interest in the camera and did not simply continue with your task at hand, which was to photograph their block work. Similar to you, I believe it is essential to empower our children to actively participate, and this was evident because you enabled the children to utilise the camera and take their own photographs. Furthermore, the children stayed interested in the activity and embraced the opportunity to display their photographs on the computer.
It was enjoyable to read your interpretation of ‘how’ the children were feeling, this kept me engaged and your narrative descriptions supported me to visualise the event for myself.
As an early childhood teacher it is always beneficial to read theory outlined in Te Whāriki, and you chose relevant examples which supported your reflection. I also enjoyed viewing your photographs and believe they explained the ‘story’ of your children as they explored the possibilities of ICT within their centre.
I was initially aware that children learnt about themselves while accessing ICT but your blog described children also learning from their peers and this was a refreshing perspective that I will now consider within my own practice. There are so many different ways to extend this experience with your children, perhaps they could print and laminate their photographs for display?
Tumeke Nik!